Unique education programme launches in Reading

A unique education initiative which is proven to improve students’ employability and academic achievement has been launched in Reading. Business Class, Business in the Community's flagship education programme, creates long-term collaborative partnerships between leading businesses and secondary schools across the UK.

As a business, we look to support initiatives that have a meaningful impact in the communities where we have a presence. The Business Class programme allows us to share the knowledge and skills of our people within the schools and helps make a difference that in many instances is life defining for those involved.

In some areas of Reading there are significant issues around education, skills and training, with 9.2% of 16-24 year olds recorded as being not in education, employment or training. In addition higher than average numbers of pupils are eligible for free school meals, and GCSE attainment across the local authority is around or below the national average.

Three local schools, Blessed Hugh Faringdon Catholic School, Bulmershe School and Reading Girls School are partnering up with local businesses Prudential, Oracle and KPMG. Through working jointly with the Central Berkshire Education Business Partnership the partnerships have been carefully chosen, by matching the specific needs of each school, with the various skills and functions of each business. 

The support given by businesses focuses on the school as a whole and is led by what that school and its pupils need. Detailed needs analyses of the schools are carried out by Business in the Community to ensure they are matched with the right business expertise. The businesses involved offer mentoring, work experience, advice, guidance and use of facilities.

John Casey, Headteacher at Blessed Hugh Faringdon School said “We love working with Prudential. There has been an immediate rapport between the school and the company at all levels. We are excited about the possibilities for both organisations to continue to work together in the future and can clearly see this partnership lasting for a very long time.”

Research shows that schools already involved in the scheme across the UK consider that it has improved students’ academic achievement by 38%, and both schools and businesses think the programme has improved students’ employability by over 40%.